Michigan Man Wrongfully Convicted of Double Murder to be Set Free

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A man who went to prison for a double-murder in 2005 is expected to go free today. Kenneth Nixon was convicted of firebombing a Detroit home 15 years ago, but now the Wayne County Prosecutor and the county's Conviction Integrity Unit are questioning the evidence that put him away.

A jury convicted Nixon of the act which led to the deaths of a 10-year-old boy and a 1-year-old girl. But questions have since been raised about the testimony that convicted Nixon.

The kids' mother and siblings escaped the housefire. But now prosecutors are now calling into question the accounts given by one of the siblings, a then-13-year old boy, and that of a jailhouse informant, saying their are inconsistencies.

“What is highly suspect here is the use of a jail informant by a homicide officer to gain a 'confession.' The informant testified that he had no knowledge of the case from watching TV to bolster his credibility. Years later he admitted that before Mr. Nixon," Nixon's attorney, David Williams tells WXYZ.

Nixon, now 34, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. He is scheduled to appear before a judge this afternoon (2/18) to have his conviction overturned and be set free.

Nixon's attorney went on to say "This was a collaborative effort between our office and the Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit. A vital part of the justice system is ensuring that convictions rest on sound evidence and investigative practices."

Nixon is expected to be released at about 1 pm.